Daughter of the Saints

Daughter of the Saints is Dorothy Allred Solomon's memoir of growing up in a fundamentalist Mormon polygamist family during the mid-20th century. As the 28th of 48 children, Solomon recounts her experiences living between two worlds - her father's underground plural marriage community and mainstream Mormon society. The author details daily life within her family system, including the logistics of caring for dozens of siblings, moving between multiple households, and maintaining secrecy about their lifestyle. She describes the complex relationships between her father's seven wives and their children, along with the challenges of navigating school, friendships, and her own identity development. Solomon examines the religious beliefs that shaped her upbringing and the broader historical context of fundamentalist Mormon groups in America. Her perspective as both insider and eventual outsider provides insights into the practical and psychological realities of growing up in a polygamous household. This memoir raises essential questions about family, faith, identity and belonging in American society. Through her personal narrative, Solomon offers a nuanced exploration of how religious conviction and family loyalty intersect with individual autonomy and social acceptance.

Readers describe this memoir as a raw, honest account of growing up in a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist family. The book resonates with those interested in understanding daily life within plural marriage communities. Readers appreciated: - Detailed insights into family dynamics and relationships - Clear explanations of religious beliefs without judgment - Solomon's balanced perspective on both positive and difficult aspects - Writing style that maintains momentum through complicated family histories Common criticisms: - Timeline jumps can be confusing to follow - Some readers wanted more details about specific events - A few found the tone too sympathetic toward polygamy Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (814 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (98 ratings) Sample review: "Solomon manages to share her experience without either condemning or glorifying the practice. She shows both the love within her family and the very real struggles they faced." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "The chronological jumps made it hard to keep track of which father was where and when certain events occurred."

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🌟 Dorothy Allred Solomon is the 28th of 48 children born to fundamentalist Mormon leader Rulon Allred. 🌟 The author's father, Rulon Allred, was assassinated in 1977 by members of a rival polygamous group led by Ervil LeBaron. 🌟 Solomon grew up in hiding, using false names and moving frequently to protect her family from prosecution for practicing plural marriage. 🌟 The memoir was published in 2003 and was one of the first mainstream books to offer an insider's perspective on growing up in modern polygamy. 🌟 The Allred Group, founded by the author's father, is still active today and is considered one of the largest Mormon fundamentalist groups in Utah, known as the Apostolic United Brethren.